France angry about Russia, Turkey in Libya

France’s president on Monday accused Turkey of massively importing jihadists into Libya, labeling Ankara’s intervention “criminal” and he lambasted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambivalence towards his country’s mercenaries operating in the North African state.

Ties between NATO allies France and Turkey have soured in recent weeks over Libya, Northern Syria and drilling in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey has intervened decisively in recent weeks in Libya, providing air support, weapons and allied fighters from Syria to help the internationally recognised government based in Tripoli repel a year-long assault by eastern military leader Khalifa Haftar.

“I think it’s a historic and criminal responsibility for a country which claims to be a NATO member,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Without providing any evidence on the nature of the fighters, he said Turkey was “massively importing” jihadists from Syria.

Paris has been accused of supporting Haftar politically, having previously given him military assistance to fight Islamist militants. France denies backing Haftar but has stopped short of rebuking his allies, especially the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has also been singled out by the United Nations for violating an arms embargo.

Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) is backed by the UAE, Egypt and Russia. In recent weeks, French officials have repeatedly said that Turkey’s intervention was encouraging Russia to gain a greater foothold in Libya.

Libya’s National Oil Corporation said on Friday Russian mercenaries had entered the Sharara oilfield. A United Nations report in May said Russian private military contractor Wagner Group had up to 1,200 people deployed in Libya.

Macron spoke to Putin on Friday, but stopped short of denouncing Moscow as he has with Ankara. He said the two leaders agreed to work towards a common goal of a ceasefire.

On Monday, Macron said Putin had told him that private contractors did not represent Russia.

“I told him of my very clear condemnation of the actions which are carried out by the Wagner force... he plays on this ambivalence.”

Souree: Reuters

 

The Liberum

Vox Populi, Vox Dei
See full bio >
The Liberum runs on your donation. Fight with us for a free society.
Donation Form (#6)

More articles you might like

Russia & Iran: Partners in defeat?

The Israeli-American attack on the Islamic Republic has clearly shown that Iran is on its […]

Armenian Political Constraints on the Peace Process with Azerbaijan

The peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan has entered a phase where its feasibility depends […]

Bent to My Will – Parallel dimensions in Egyptian hands

I had the good fortune of participating in Balticon 59 and took the opportunity to […]
- by Ahsan Ali on 09/06/2025

The Road Ahead: Structuring an Inclusive Syria without Assad

With the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime, the political status quo, which was carefully […]

The Last Card on the Table: Baghdad and the Balance of the New Middle East

As the Middle East reshapes itself in the wake of seismic shifts, including the October […]
- by The Liberum on 04/06/2025

Up for Grabs: How Syria is becoming an International Free-for-All

Until the night of June 2, 2025, the fate of foreign jihadists in Syria, under […]